LG knocks out internet microwave

Eventually what won't be wired up?

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After launching an internet refrigerator and washing machine in 2000, LG Electronics has kicked off 2001 by unveiling a microwave oven that can be connected to the internet.

While being of somewhat tenous value for now, connected devices will probably become ubiquitous eventually. The microwave includes a modem and LCD touch-screen monitor, and made its debut at the Houseware Show in Chicago earlier in January.

In addition to all the standard cooking features that you expect from a microwave oven, the device also offers internet access. Busy cooks can use it to search for recipes, and also to download cooking related information, such as cooking time and microwave power level, for automatic cooking. This is similar to the company's Internet washing machine, which can access wash program information for specific fabrics and even download new program settings from an Internet database.

The company has not yet decided on launch plans for the product and could not confirm pricing.